Sconce-type lighting fixture

Abstract

A sconce-type lighting fixture includes a frame with an inside surface having an inwardly-facing groove with uniform cross-section, and a light-transmissive cover having peripheral tabs extending into the groove, thereby snugly holding the cover in the frame. A method of providing a sconce-type lighting fixture includes providing a convex diffusing lens having a plurality of tabs on its outer periphery, and providing a sconce having a frame with an inner perimeter channel that provides no special accommodation for receiving the tabs, where the convex diffusing lens is adapted for snap-fit of the tabs into the inner perimeter channel. A system includes a lens, and a lens frame having an inner perimeter lens channel for receiving the lens without accomodation.

1 . A sconce-type lighting fixture comprising: 
 a frame with an inside surface having an inwardly-facing groove with uniform cross-section; and    a light-transmissive cover having peripheral tabs extending into the groove, thereby snugly holding the cover in the frame.    
   
   
       2 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the peripheral tabs of the cover are adapted to snap fit into the inwardly-facing groove of the frame.  
   
   
       3 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the cover has a dome-shaped outer surface.  
   
   
       4 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the cover has a roof-shaped outer surface.  
   
   
       5 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the frame includes at least one rigid frame bar attached horizontally across the frame.  
   
   
       6 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 5  wherein the at least one rigid frame bar is shaped to protectively surround an extending portion of the cover.  
   
   
       7 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 at least one lamp, the lamp being one of an incandescent, compact fluorescent, biax, linear fluorescent, and HID type; and    a lamp socket for receiving the lamp.    
   
   
       8 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 7  further comprising a baseplate adapted for attachably securing the frame to a mounting surface.  
   
   
       9 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 7  further comprising a reflector for improving light radiation efficiency of the lighting fixture.  
   
   
       10 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 9  further comprising a baseplate adapted for attachably securing the frame to a mounting surface.  
   
   
       11 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 7  further comprising a gasket for sealing the cover to the baseplate.  
   
   
       12 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the cover has a planar outer edge portion that includes the peripheral tabs, and has a beveled portion proximate the planar outer edge portion.  
   
   
       13 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the cover has at least one lengthwise outer end face that slopes toward the center of the frame.  
   
   
       14 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 13  wherein the frame includes at least one frame bar attached horizontally across the frame, and wherein the cover is formed so that the outer end face has its distal end proximate the frame bar.  
   
   
       15 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the cover is a diffusing lens.  
   
   
       16 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the cover is a clear lens.  
   
   
       17 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 8  further comprising a ballast for supplying electrical power to the lamp, the ballast being supported by the baseplate.  
   
   
       18 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 1  wherein the cover includes a lens that extends outwardly from the frame and that has at least one lengthwise end portion, the lengthwise end portion having a tilted surface; 
 wherein the tilted surface is tilted at an angle with respect to a lighting fixture mounting surface to cause an object placed on the tilted surface to slide off of the lengthwise end portion of the lens.    
   
   
       19 . The sconce-type lighting fixture of  claim 18  wherein an outermost perimeter of the lengthwise end portion is proximate an outer protective member of the frame for the entire length of such perimeter.  
   
   
       20 . A method of providing a sconce-type lighting fixture comprising: 
 providing a convex diffusing lens having a plurality of tabs on its outer periphery; and    providing a sconce having a frame with an inner perimeter channel that provides no special accommodation for receiving the tabs;    wherein the convex diffusing lens is adapted for snap-fit of the tabs into the inner perimeter channel.    
   
   
       21 . A system for multi-option sconce lighting comprising: 
 a lens; and    a lens frame having an inner perimeter lens channel for receiving the lens without accommodation.    
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the lens channel is formed of an extrusion having a single cross section.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the lens frame includes at least one crossbar for protecting an exterior portion of the lens, and wherein the crossbar is installed at a portion of the lens frame including the cross section.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the lens frame includes at least one crossbar for protecting an exterior portion of the lens, and wherein the crossbar follows an outward shape of the lens.